With the Folder Vault file-security program installed on your computer you can rest assured that no one can access your data. That’s because the application provides a vault where you can securely store all the data you don’t want someone else to access. On top of that, the application can lock and hide the files or folders you specify. Out of sight, out of mind – and out of anyone’s access, all thanks to Folder Vault.

2.7MB is the rather lightweight size of the Folder Vault installation file; on a high-speed internet connection, you will spend but a moment getting the file onto your machine. A straightforward setup wizard will then guide you through the process of installing Folder Vault. The application can be installed on 32 and 64-bit editions of Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000.

The first time you run Folder Vault you will be asked to pick a password that will protect access to the application. Make sure you don’t pick an easily guessable password. However, if you think your password has been compromised, make sure you change it. For additional piece of mind, check out the Hack Prevention tab from the Advanced menu.

By default, Folder Vault unlocks and presents its Vault to you when you launch the application. Take the data you want to protect from prying eyes, and copy/paste or drag-and-drop it into the vault. To hide the data, just click the Lock icon or close the application. On top of that, Folder Vault can hide/lock files and it can hide/lock folders and drives. The moment you select a file to be hidden/locked, it will immediately disappear from the desktop or from wherever else it may be stored.

As mentioned above, access to Folder Vault is password protected. If somehow you manage to forget the password, you can recover it by providing the correct answer to a question. From the Password Recovery Tab in the Advanced menu you can select the question and the answer. If you feel like someone is trying to gain unauthorized access to Folder Vault, you should check out the Hack Prevention tab from the same Advanced menu. You can enable the Log Password Hack Attempts and you can set it up so your computer will go on lockdown or will shut down after 3 failed login attempts.

Folder Vault will hide/lock files, folders, and drives – it can also hide itself. In Stealth mode, Folder Vault will be hidden away; it can be accessed via a hotkey (the default is Ctrl + Alt + V). Please note though that this feature is not available in the trial version. You should also note that Folder Vault is free to use for a 15-day trial.

Folder Vault provides an efficient means of protecting your privacy and preventing unauthorized access to your data: it lets you store sensitive data in a vault and it can lock/hide files, folders, and drives.

Pros Takes very little time to download and install Folder Vault on a computer powered by Windows (32 or 64-bit editions of 7, Vista, XP, or 2000). Access to Folder Vault is password protected; you can change the password, answer a question to view the password should you forget it, and enable some hacking protection features. Provides a vault where you can safely store your data. It can hide/lock files, folders, drivers. Can run in Stealth mode. Supports multiple languages.

Cons Stealth mode is not available in the trial edition. The trial can be used for free for 15 days.